Method and apparatus for the separation of folded layers of paper with a protruding edge



2,933,312 SEPARATION OF WITH A 5 Sheets-Sheet l R. HEPP ARATUS FOR THE PAPER April 19, 1960 METHOD AND APP FOLDED LAYERS PROTRU G EDGE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 .Apfil19,1960 R.HEP METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDED LAYERS OF PAPE I PROTRUDING Filed Nov. 15, 1955 THE SE EDG 2,933,312 PARATION OF TH A 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Apnl 19, 1960 R. HEPP 2,933,312

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOLDED LAYERS OF PAPER WITH A PROTRUDING EDGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 15, 1955 frrvenfom" April 19, 1950 R. HEPP 2,933,312

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOLDED LAYERS OF PAPER WITH A V PROTRUDING EDGE Filed NOV. 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Apnl 19, 1960 R. HEPP 2,933,312

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOLDED LAYERS OF PAPER WITH A PROTRUDING EDGE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenlar;

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARA- TION OF FOLDED LAYERS 6F PAPER WITH A PROTRUDING EDGE Rudolf Hepp, Eerlin-Charlottenburg, Germany Application November 15, 1955, Serial No. 547,001

Claims priority, application Germany November 18, 1954 13 Claims. (Cl. 270-54) The invention'relates to known devices in which folded layers of paper having a margin projecting beyond or forwardly of the other margin are processed in order to interleave the sheets, and this is sometimes followed by stapling the sheets together. In most cases the projecting margin is cut off after the processing of the layer of paper is completed, in order to improve its appearance. This means that this projecting margin represents an additional loss of paper which should be kept as low as possible. The method of operation of these known devices consists in grippers seizing the projecting margin of the layer of paper fed toward the grippers and conveying it to the separating or opening equipment. Spreading plates and spreading tongues can also be provided, pointing towards the projecting margin, so that the said edge runs on these tongues or plates, with the result that the layer is separated.

It is a disadvantage of these devices that all tolerances due to the preceding manufacturing processes, that is to say, due to the printing machines, folding machines and the like, must be taken into account when determining the sizes of the projecting margin. To this must be added the tolerances required for the further processing equipment including displacements during the-feeding process, incorrect positioning, and the like, until the opening tools can become effective.

The object of the invention is to ensure that the necessary projecting margin is kept to a desired dimension, preferably to the minimum which can be achieved in practice, by feeding the paper with the projecting margin against aligning tools, such as pockets, gripper jaws, and the like, where the paper may make contact with or push against or may be stopped by the said tools. The special tools effecting the separation of the sheets, which may either form a part of the aligning device or act in dependently, are according to the invention related to the said aligning tools in such a way that the means eifecting the separation of the paper commence to act every time at the said desired distance from the projecting margin of the layer of paper. It is likely that a dimension of 1 to 2 mm. will be satisfactory for practical purposes. This corresponds to the minimum width of the projecting margin.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental vertical sectional view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section showing an opening pocket.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 in conjunction with a conveyor belt or tape.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are views similar to Fig. 2 employing gripper jaw means in lieu of the opening pocket.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentai view, partly in cross-section of the rotatable aspirating means.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the assembly shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the sprocket wheel and clutch assembly shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 9 to 11 illustrate sectional views of the vacuum control means.

Fig. 12 is a detailed view, partly in cross section or" the stripping means.

Pig. 13a is an elevational view from the side of the stripping means.

Fig. 13b is a plan view, partly in cross section of the means shown in Fig. 13a.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the assembly employing aspirating means as opening tools, and

Fig. 15 is a similar view using the opening pockets.

It will be seen that the aligning tools cooperating with the leading protruding edge of the layer of paper may be such as to function at the same time as separating tools. The leading dimensions of the separating tools, such as the depth of the pocket or the depth by which the gripper jaws engage the paper, determines the minimum size of the projecting margin of the paper. But it is also possible to align the layer of paper by means of tools not shown here and feed it to the separating tools.

It will be shown now that two dilierent processes must be distinguished. The first process is the alignment of the leading edge of the paper by means of a stop or similar tool. This alignment assumes preferably the nature of a stopping or pushing action. The other process is the actual separation, where the projecting margin of the paper is gripped by the separating tools. They can grip the layer of paper firmly as for instance by means of grippers, or they can grip them loosely, as for instance by means of pockets. Then these separating tools, which are conveniently also employed as stops, can be designed so that they are arranged along the circumference of a rotating body, such as the roller.

In order to ensure that the separating tools have the efiect that the edge of the paper is aligned or pushed against them, these tools must be moved against and over the leading edge of the paper. For this purpose the separating tools must be given a speed which is less than that of the leading edge of the paper. It is sulficient to arrange the retarding effect so that it acts only over a short period, that is to say, temporarily, at the time when the edge of the paper moves into the separating tool. But it is convenient to maintain continuously the lower speed of the separating tools, so that a stress is set up in the paper and increases continuously during the separating process and ensures that the part of the layer of paper which was not gripped spreads automatically, so as to facilitate the separation of the layer of paper.

As shown in Fig. 1, the invention includes a rotatable support 18 carried by a horizontal shaft 19 which is driven to rotate the support in the direction indicated by (the arrow 20-. Ejectors 22 are secured to a shaft 21 suitably arranged in the support 18 so that the ejectors likewise rotate in the direction of the arrow 24]. A layer of paper, with the protruding edge leading, is placed against the rotatable support 18 with the paper being guided by a set of rigid brushes 24 to supporting rollers 23 arranged on the circumference of the rotatable support 18.

When the support 13 is rotated, the paper layer, together with the assistance of the ejeetors 22 is moved beyond the rigid brushes 24 and reaches rollers 25, each provided with an opening pocket 25, with the rollers turning in the direction of the arrow 28 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A stripper 29 cooperable with the roller 25 urges the entering layer of paper downwardly suificiently that the same is forced to enter the pocket 26 The stripper is moved into the position shown by a cam 3% and cam follower 31 with the cam moving a lever 32 (Fig. 12) secured with the stripper to a tube 33 carried Patented Apr. 19, 1960 with a fiXed cam 40, held by a bar 41.

by fixed pin 34. A spring-loaded pressure roller 35 is mounted on the stripper 29 and is lifted by the pocket 26 and bears against the paper layer as soon as the pocket has passed the same.

Furthermore, an additional stress is set up in the paper as theroller 25 rotates, which has the effect of pushing the part of the paper layer not gripped by the pocket 26 further away. As the roller continues to rotate, the edge of the paper supported in the pocket 26 leaves the pocket and drops over a stop or the like whereby the separated paper layer may be further processed.

In lieu of the pressure rollers, a conveyor band 37 (Fig. 3) may be employed and the band will urge the entering paper layer against the roller 25 and move the same.

Fig. 4 illustrates the use of a gripper jaw 38, in the open position, at the time the paper layer enters the unit. The gripper 38 is controlled by a follower 39 associated In Fig. 5, the gripper jaw 38 is shown in the closed position with a layer of paper which is to be guided over a stop component 36.

As mentioned, aspirating or suction devices can be used in association with the separating means, and, in this regard, attention is called to Fig. 6. Shaft 45 which carries rollers 25 is provided with disc-like members 43 which are in communication with a suction duct 46 in the shaft 45. Branch duct 46' leads to a suction fitting 42 carried by the member 43-. A shaft 48 mounted in parallelism to the shaft 45 is also provided with a suction fitting 42 cooperable with the fitting 42 on the shaft 45 and such fitting is in communication with a. duct 47 in the shaft 48 through branch duct 46. One end of each of the shafts 45 and 48 are in communication with a collector 56 (Figs. 7 and 14) and the shaft 48 rotates in a direction opposite to that of the shaft 45.

A gear wheel 51 controls the vacuum operation, and a flexible conduit 52 leads from the collector 50 to a rotatable collector 53 as shown in Fig. 9. Air duct 54 is provided in the gear wheel 51, which it can be seen is driven by the shaft 45 and the air duct 54 enters a dishshaped collector 55 and the collector 55, which is spring loaded against the gear wheel 51 is connected to a vacuum pump.

It is possible to vary the operating period of the duct 54 as desired by setting the collector 53. In this regard,

attention is called to Figs. and 11 which illustrate the limits of the adjusting positions of the collector. By virtue of this setting, the angle of spread over which the suction fittings function on the paper is variable and the same can be adjusted during the operation of the machine.

To employ either separating means as desired, a drive is employed and by means of which the circumferential speed of the components supporting the separating means can be varied and in this respect, Fig. 7 is pertinent. A sprocket wheel56 driven through a clutch means 57 is on shaft 48 and the other component of the clutch means is clamped by a screw and plate 59 against the driving face of the clutch means 57. The setting can be ascertained from pointer 69 cooperable with a scale 61 as illustrated in Fig. 8.

A pair of gears 62 is carried by the shaft 48 opposite to a scale disc 63 and the gears 62 can be rotated for adjustment on the shaft 43 and locked in the desired position by the manipulation of screw 64. This operation will alter the relative positions of the suction fittings 42 and the initial position is determined by markings on the scale disc 63.

Gears 65 and 66 can be connected, if desired, to the shaft 45 by clutch means 67 and knob 68. When operating with a tool having a relative reverse speed of rotation, the drive is as shown in Fig. 7. When operating with the suction fittings 42, the drive is changed over so that the gear 65 is connected to the shaft 45 thereby eliminating relative reverse rotation, which can be changed as desired into a relative forward rotation of the suction --2,9as,s 1a

fittings respecting the paper layer. Pressure rollers 69 and supporting discs 70 on the shaft .8 support and move forward the paper during operation with the suction fittings 4-2. However, the same are removed during use with the pockets 26 or the grippers 38.

With reference to Fig. 14, the paper layer has moved past the brushes 24 and underneath the pocket 26. The clutch means 67 is engaged with the gear 66 to impart to the pocket 26 a reverse motion relative to the leading edge of the paper. In Fig. 15, the clutch means is in engagement with the gear 65 and the pocket 26 has been replaced by a filler 72. The machine now functions as an aspirating unit with insert 46 containing the suction fitting 42 and pressure rollers 69 having been positioned on the shaft 48. The required suction efiect is created by opening valve means 73.

The scale disc 63 is fixed to the shaft 48 and the disclike member 43 is rotated to its correct position by turning the gear 62 which rotates the gear 65 and thus the relative positions of the suction fittings 42 can be adjusted. I

It should also be mentioned that the tube 33 isheld V in a frame component (not shown) by a torsion spring 71 (Fig. 12) so that the follower 31 is maintained constantly against the cam 30 as depicted in Fig. 1.

The invention is not to be restricted to any strict conformity with the showings in the drawings but changes or modifications may be made therein so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the spirit and scope of theannexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A method for opening out paper sheets folded to present two adjacent parallel edges wherein one edge projects slightly beyond the other edge, comprising the steps of advancing the sheet, providing a stop and align+ ing means in the path of advance of the sheet, so that the projecting edge of said sheet impinges against the stop and is thereby aligned and restrained, and thereafter continuing to advance said sheet thereby opening out the sheet at a desired distance from the stop and thus from the projecting edge.

2. A method-for opening out paper sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening out of the sheet includes imparting a relative movement to the stop, with the speed of movement of the stop being less than the advancin speed of the projecting edge of the sheet. 1

3. A method for opening out paper sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stop positively holds the pro; jecting edge of the sheet. 1

4. A method for opening out paper sheets as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stop loosely holds the projectin edge of the sheet. 5. A device for opening out paper sheets folded so a to present two adjacent parallel edges wherein one edge the projecting edge has been aligned by said sheet edge aligning and stop means.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said 'sto means includes a gripper positively holding the projecting edge of the paper.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherem said stop means includes means to impart a speed of movement to the stop means less than the speed of advancing movement of the paper.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the speed of the movement of the stop means is less than the advancing speed of the projecting edge of the paper.

9. A device as set forth inclaim 5, wherein said step 5 means includes a pocket in which the projecting edge of the paper is loosely held.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9, wherein guide means coacts with the projecting edge of the paper and the stop means to guide such edge into the pocket.

11. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the paper automatically leaves the stop means due to the rising stress in the paper following the displacement of the stop means relative to the advancing movement of the paper.

12. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein a pair of roller means provided cooperable with the stop'means, and at least one suction means is associated with the periphery of each roller means.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein means 15 is provided to displace said roller means relative to each other and to the stop means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,489 Kleineberg June 25, 1940 2,251,943 Kleineberg Aug. 12, 1941 2,413,358 Kleineberg Dec. 31, 1946 10 2,507,281 Spisak May 9, 1950 2,668,053 Bach Feb. 2, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,154 Sweden Aug. 22, 1950 

